Advice for Grand Canyon Ride : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

huskerbob · 08-15-2009, 03:21 PM

Hello all.

Just back from Sturgis and am starting to think about next year's adventure.

I live in Eastern North Carolina and would like to travel the South West to explore AZ., NM, UT & NV.

Obviously want to hit the Grand Canyon but beyond that, I'm clueless. I plan on:

Trailering to West Texas (Lubbock, Amarillo, etc.) to save time (only have two weeks total)
Traveling alone
Tent camping (but eating in resturants)

Any advice or tips on best time of year to travel, any "must see's" and any "avoid at all costs" and any other general info will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

huskerbob

route66paul · 08-15-2009, 05:01 PM

Whatever time of year you use, you will have differences in weather. The changes in altitude are intense. I would say that after May 1, you should be ok to ride most of the passes, but many in the Calif Serrias are closed through the end of June and some years never open due to snow and road damage.

Death Valley is great, but evn in May, the temps can be over 100F in the valley, and it does get cold at night. Camping needs a permit in most places, those are easier to get during the week than on the weekend. It is hard to know where you will be when, and you have to reserve the spots in advance in many places. If you wait until late June, you will have HOT weather, even at night. You could be in for a very uncomfortable time, so figure on some motel stays.

give me a PM when you get to the LA area.

doc ock · 08-21-2009, 01:51 AM

You may want to consider a fly and ride. Fly out to Phoenix and you will be in the center for all the places you want to see. For the Southwest come out before June, early to mid May will be best. Camping in a National Forest is nice and cheap, free to about 10 bucks.

kustom_flames · 08-21-2009, 08:11 AM

Check the website, but I thin the North rim is closed after Oct or something like that...Truly beautiful there though!

berserker · 08-21-2009, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc ock

You may want to consider a fly and ride. Fly out to Phoenix and you will be in the center for all the places you want to see. For the Southwest come out before June, early to mid May will be best. Camping in a National Forest is nice and cheap, free to about 10 bucks.

Renting a bike, is like taking your sister to the prom.

TriLs · 08-21-2009, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berserker

Renting a bike, is like taking your sister to the prom.

Well, you DO get to ride the rental!!!

doc ock · 08-22-2009, 09:47 AM

Better than trailering half way. Like taking your step sister to the prom but then turning around because you just reliezed she is still your sister.

huskerbob · 08-23-2009, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc ock

Better than trailering half way. Like taking your step sister to the prom but then turning around because you just reliezed she is still your sister.

couldn't agree more but unfortunately, there are time considerations involved. the time i save by trailering half way is time i can spend traveling AZ, NM, NV & UT. Since I live here, i can ride the eastern states just about anytime.

hungryeye · 08-24-2009, 12:53 PM

I've done Az to Jersey and back 3 yrs ago on an 89 Goldwing. I've done it maybe 7 times by P/U truck, either way I get to Memphis on the second day, you must ride sun up to almost sun down to get in that 750-800 miles per day. Amarillo to Phoenix is about 12-14 hrs, IMO the goodist weather for enjoying Az is Nov. or Apr. We do have Az Bike Week 1st week in April. No where near the size of Sturis or Daytona but a good time to visit.

Phoenix area nis about 5 hrs to Grand Canyon, Vegas is about 4-5 hrs from either place or 300 miles.

Traakon · 08-24-2009, 01:22 PM

Early October or April is the best time for the area you want to cover. Mind you, it is possible to get some snow in the higher elevations you are talking about the first week in October or still have it on the ground in April. The higher elevations of Utah and Colorado mostly though it is not unheard of in years gone by in Flagstaff. (we did a trip into southern Colorado the first week of October a couple years ago and hit snow from Durango north. Still a great trip)
The AZ portions you spoke of should be clear at those times though and perfect for riding into the north country. Keep an eye out for deer and elk in the high country during those periods as well.

**HDWRENCH** · 08-24-2009, 01:36 PM

It is getting cold up in the high country at night so make sure you have warm weather gear for after dark.

We are in not too far from there stop in always like to meet board members

huskerbob · 08-24-2009, 03:33 PM

thanks to all for the info already provided. more will always be appreciated too.

ride hard and be safe!

bob

simjue · 08-24-2009, 09:31 PM

Made a similar trip starting from Eastern VA a few years ago. Left in Sept. just after hurricane Camile bashed LA. A long and windy ride. We took a route through SE CO. down to the Grand Canyon. One day at the south rim was enough. The north rim is a must, although a 225 mile ride from the south. Wind and heat in AZ as I recall. From North Rim, we headed up into UT. Lots of NP to choose. All are great. Then headed up into Colorado. Got very cold in high elevations, and in fact the first snow of the year chased us across Colorado. Some great rides and scenery all across Colorado, as well as Utah. If I were you I would skip NV on this trip, unless you feel the need to go to Vegas/Hoover Dam or are headed to Cal. We made that circle last year, and although everyone should do it sometime, Hwy 50 across NV is indeed the loneliness road in America, for sure. Almost forgot, Santa Fe and Taos NM are well worth a visit. So much to see and so little time. Good luck in your planning.